Two Santa Barbara High School students win Congressional App Challenge
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Christian Sanchez, Santa Barbara High School senior, and Antonio Ayala, SBHS sophomore, together won the Congressional App Challenge by developing the anti-cyberbullying and student-connectedness program, "One Connected."
Santa Barbara Unified School District said the students' program "aims to help students "easily and safely join clubs/ organizations by browsing through the school’s Club Directory."
As for the anti-cyberbullying aspect, SBUSD said Sanchez and Ayala implemented moderated communication features to allow students to carry out their messages safely.
Congressman Salud Carbajal honored the duo in December:
Congratulations to the winners of this year's Congressional App Challenge!
— Rep. Salud Carbajal (@RepCarbajal) December 25, 2022
Christian Sanchez and Antonio Ayala from Santa Barbara HS created an app that helps clubs at their school communicate more easily. Proud to have talented young innovators like them on the Central Coast! pic.twitter.com/lk0Oy2FrZd
The school district noted that Sanchez and Ayala also met with a lawmaker to discuss the app’s positive impacts at school and its potential.
In addition, as part of the honor, "One Connected" is eligible to be featured in the United States Capitol Building this spring and placed on the house.gov website, according to SBUSD.
"We are so proud of our students," said Principal Elise Simmons. "Christian and Antonio not only developed a useful app for Santa Barbara High School, but they also did it while ensuring their work is inclusive for everyone."
Sanchez and Ayala are both students of Santa Barbara High School's Computer Science Academy.
